Laser-assisted Dentistry
Laser-assisted dentistry allows the precise and effective treatment for a large number of dental procedures. Accuracy is succeeded by the dentist’s ability to control the output power of the light beam and the length of time the tissue (whether it is a gum or a tooth) will be exposed to it. Therefore, the dentist can treat a very specific focus area without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Some dental procedures that can be completed with the usage of laser are the following:
Hard Tissue (Tooth) Procedures
- Cavity detector: Low intensity soft tissue lasers can be used for the prompt detection of caries by providing a reading of the by-products produced by tooth decay.
- Fillings/ Tooth Preparation: Hard tissue dental lasers can eliminate the need for local anesthetic injection and the use of a dental drill. So, the patient’s experience in the dentist’s chair becomes much more pleasant. They also neutralize the existing bacteria in the cavity, minimizing the chance of infection.
- Dentinal hypersensitivity: Dental lasers can be used to seal tubules (located on the root of the tooth) that are responsible for hot and cold tooth sensitivity.
Soft Tissue (Gum) Procedures
- Crown Lengthening: This procedure restores the tooth structure by reshaping the gum tissue and bone. It may be used as a foundation for the placement of restorations.
- Muscle Attachment (Frenula): A laser frenectomy (a band of tissue located below the tongue and in the upper jaw in the center of the lip) is an ideal treatment option for children who are dealing with speech impediment due to restricted or tight frenulum (ankyloglossia) and babies unable to breast feed adequately due to limited tongue movement.
- Soft Tissue Folds (Epulis): Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture-free removal of soft tissue folds or tumors often caused by chronic injuries or wrong fitting dentures.
- Smile Reshaping: Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure and improve the appearance of a smile.
What are the benefits Laser-assisted Dentistry?
- Dental lasers may offer a suture-free experience.
- In some cases, they eliminate the need for anesthesia.
- Lasers minimize the bleeding during a dental procedure, because the high-energy light beam helps the exposed blood vessels to coagulate (clotting), thus obstructing blood loss.
- Bacterial infections are minimized because the high-energy beam sterilizes the treated area.
- Damage to surrounding tissue is minimized.
- Wounds heal faster and tissues can be regenerated.
- Inflammation danger is reduced.
- Patients are experiencing smaller post-operational pain or no pain at all.